Chapter 4

  Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;  

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  For I give you sound learning. Don't forsake my law.  

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  For I was a son to my father, Tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.  

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  He taught me, and said to me: 'Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.  

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  Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.  

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  Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.  

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  Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.  

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  Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.  

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  She will give to your head a garland of grace. A crown of splendor will she deliver to you.'  

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  Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.  

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  I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in paths of uprightness.  

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  When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.  

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  Take firm hold of instruction. Don't let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.  

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  Don't enter into the path of the wicked. Don't walk in the way of evil men.  

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  Avoid it, and don't pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.  

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  For they don't sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.  

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  For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.  

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  But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, That shines more and more until the perfect day.  

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  The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don't know what they stumble over.  

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  My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.  

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  Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart.  

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  For they are life to those who find them, And health to their whole body.  

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  Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it is the wellspring of life.  

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  Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.  

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  Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.  

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  Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.  

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  Don't turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.  

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